Embattled Aceh governor files pretrial motion against KPK

Karina M. Tehusijarana

The Jakarta Post

Jakarta /
Tue, October 9, 2018 / 04:53 pm

Non-active Aceh governor Irwandi Yusuf (center) arrives at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta on July 4. Irwandi has been accused of embezzling development funds. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)

Non-active Aceh governor Irwandi Yusuf filed a pretrial motion against the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Tuesday for naming him a suspect in a graft case involving the province's special autonomy funds.

KPK officers arrested Irwandi in July along with non-active Bener Meriah regent Ahmadi and eight other individuals following suspicious transactions allegedly involving provincial and regency officials. Soon after, Irwandi and four others were named suspects and accused of scheming to embezzle Rp 8 trillion (US$557 million) from the province’s special autonomy funds.

In the pretrial motion, which was filed at the South Jakarta District Court, Irwandi and his legal team claimed that he never asked for or received any money relating to the special autonomy funds and cited his return of Rp 39 million to the KPK as a gratuity report.

The KPK said it respected Irwandi's right to file the motion but requested that the court delay the hearing until next week.

"However, from our preliminary reading [of the motion], we feel that the suspect talks about many other things that have no direct connection [with the case] and also talks more about the main case, which should not be the domain of a pretrial hearing," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said.

"The KPK prepared strong evidence during the investigation process and has even named [Irwandi] a suspect in another case."

The KPK named Irwandi a suspect in a separate case on Monday regarding unlawful gratuities he allegedly accepted in connection with botched pier construction in Sabang’s free-trade area in Aceh. (ipa)